KANPUR: Proteas coach Russell Domingo says the squad will hit the reset button after the high of the T20 International series win as they prepare for the first One-day International against India in Kanpur on Sunday.

The Proteas’ emphatic 2-0 win in the T20I series got the tour off to a perfect start, but Domingo is aware it is only a small step ahead of a long journey still to come.

“As far as I’m concerned India are good in all three formats,” he said in response to a suggestion that India were stronger in ODIs and Tests than T20s.

“If you look at the IPL that takes place and some of the players in the team, they have a phenomenally good T20 record and T20 side. We are very pleased with the way that the first result has gone.

“We know it’s only two days of cricket that we have played and there are still 25 days of cricket left for us,” he explained. “We will break it up into passages, the first little passage is done so now we have to focus our energy on to what happens in Kanpur.

“We will take it one day at a time and not look too far ahead, we also can’t get too cocky and confident about what has happened because we know India are a quality side and we have to be on top of our game to compete against them in this ODI series.”

The squad travelled to Kanpur on Friday evening and will have one training session at the Green Park before the first match of the five-game series on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Indian cricket team dire­ctor Ravi Shastri cautioned South Africa ahead of the ODI series, saying that the hosts would be a far better side in the 50-over format.

“We have had a good look in the two games and know what we can expect of the South Africans. In the ODIs we understand our game well. We are a far better side in the one-dayers and I expect very good contest over the next month,” he said.

Shastri further said they are trying to unburden Mahendra Singh Dhoni as it is important to get the skipper back in his elements.

“That will be our endeavour. We know what he can do when he starts striking. The world knows, I don’t have to say anything,” he said.

With six months to go for the World Twenty20, Shastri said form will be crucial to get a place in the team for the showpiece event.

“There is plenty of ODI cricket coming up. Whole of December till January. We have some T20 Internationals in Australia and then Sri Lanka are coming to India. There is Asia Cup. A lot of T20 cricket will be played. It’s a great opportunity to throw the hat into the ring. It could be young or old or anybody, but form will be crucial,” the team director said. With India struggling in T20s, Shastri stressed on the importance to strike the right balance in all the three formats of the game.

“As cricket goes forward and T20 has to survive, you have to strike the right balance.”

Published in Dawn, October 10th, 2015

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